Printable version of this page

King Henry IV Part 1: Act 5 Scene 3

Scene III Plain between the camps.

[KING HENRY enters with his power. Alarum to the

battle. Then enter DOUGLAS and SIR WALTER BLUNT]

SIR WALTER BLUNT

What is thy name, that in the battle thus

Thou crossest me? what honour dost thou seek

Upon my head?

EARL OF DOUGLAS

Know then, my name is Douglas;

And I do haunt thee in the battle thus

Because some tell me that thou art a king.

SIR WALTER BLUNT

They tell thee true.

EARL OF DOUGLAS

The Lord of Stafford dear to-day hath bought

Thy likeness, for instead of thee, King Harry,

This sword hath ended him: so shall it thee,

Unless thou yield thee as my prisoner.

SIR WALTER BLUNT

I was not born a yielder, thou proud Scot;

And thou shalt find a king that will revenge

Lord Stafford's death.

[They fight. DOUGLAS kills SIR WALTER BLUNT.

Enter HOTSPUR]

HOTSPUR

O Douglas, hadst thou fought at Holmedon thus,

never had triumph'd upon a Scot.

EARL OF DOUGLAS

All's done, all's won; here breathless lies the king.

HOTSPUR

Where?

EARL OF DOUGLAS

Here.

HOTSPUR

This, Douglas? no: I know this face full well:

A gallant knight he was, his name was Blunt;

Semblably furnish'd like the king himself.

EARL OF DOUGLAS

A fool go with thy soul, whither it goes!

A borrow'd title hast thou bought too dear:

Why didst thou tell me that thou wert a king?

HOTSPUR

The king hath many marching in his coats.

EARL OF DOUGLAS

Now, by my sword, I will kill all his coats;

I'll murder all his wardrobe, piece by piece,

Until I meet the king.

HOTSPUR

Up, and away!

Our soldiers stand full fairly for the day.

[Exeunt]

[Alarum. Enter FALSTAFF, solus]

FALSTAFF

Though I could 'scape shot-free at London, I fear

the shot here; here's no scoring but upon the pate.

Soft! who are you? Sir Walter Blunt: there's honour

for you! here's no vanity! I am as hot as moulten

lead, and as heavy too: God keep lead out of me! I

need no more weight than mine own bowels. I have

led my ragamuffins where they are peppered: there's

not three of my hundred and fifty left alive; and

they are for the town's end, to beg during life.

But who comes here?

[Enter PRINCE HENRY]

PRINCE HENRY

What, stand'st thou idle here? lend me thy sword:

Many a nobleman lies stark and stiff

Under the hoofs of vaunting enemies,

Whose deaths are yet unrevenged: I prithee,

lend me thy sword.

FALSTAFF

O Hal, I prithee, give me leave to breathe awhile.

Turk Gregory never did such deeds in arms as I have

done this day. I have paid Percy, I have made him sure.

PRINCE HENRY

He is, indeed; and living to kill thee. I prithee,

lend me thy sword.

FALSTAFF

Nay, before God, Hal, if Percy be alive, thou get'st

not my sword; but take my pistol, if thou wilt.

PRINCE HENRY

Give it to me: what, is it in the case?

FALSTAFF

Ay, Hal; 'tis hot, 'tis hot; there's that will sack a city.

[PRINCE HENRY draws it out, and finds it to be a

bottle of sack]

PRINCE HENRY

What, is it a time to jest and dally now?

[He throws the bottle at him. Exit]

FALSTAFF

Well, if Percy be alive, I'll pierce him. If he do

come in my way, so: if he do not, if I come in his

willingly, let him make a carbonado of me. I like

not such grinning honour as Sir Walter hath: give me

life: which if I can save, so; if not, honour comes

unlooked for, and there's an end.

[Exit FALSTAFF]